Brassiere



Aug 4, 1959 P. AMYo'r 2,897,822

BRAssIERE Filed May l, 1957 l l v i INVENTOR Pierre Amyot (a4 BY W ATTORN EY United States APatent r"ce lBRASSIERE `Pierre Amyot, Sillery,` Quebec, Canada, assignor to Sarong, Inc., V'West Haven, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 1, 1957, Serial No. 656,350

"4 Claims. I"(Cl. 12S-483) Tlhe Vinvention relates toga brassiere in which a novel construction ,of Vthe breast pockets thereof produces a garment in which independent adjustment of each breast pocket, to accommodate variations inthe bust siZe of the wearer of the garment is automatically secured, and which vadjustment effects the necessary separation of the breasts and yet yields a proper :and healthful support for the bust and proper molding thereof.

The desired effect is produced primarily bymy novel constructionof brassiere in which the breast pockets are free of attachment to one another and in which each breast pocket is secured tovone of afpairof freelyA crossed diaphragm bands arranged below the breast pocketsv in such manner as to produce ay perfect control of the t of the garment for comfort, support, stability, andrfreedom of movement of the wearer. By the utilization of such freely crossed diaphragm bands and breast pockets which are free of attachment to one another, the proper molding of the bust is secured, irrespective of the wearers bust measurements and the requirement of a particular size of garment by reason thereof, and irrespective of the bodily movements of the wearer during normal activity.

In accordance with my invention, I provide 'a brassiere 'having two completely independentv breast pockets, free of attachment to one another, and differing substantially from brassieres of prior construction in that Ythe breast pockets or cups are not sewn to each other at the center of the garment, nor to atransverse section conventionally provided between such cups, lbut in which one breast pocketor cup i-s attached tothe opposite side panel of the garment :and is entirely free to move independently of the adjacent breast` pocket or cup. y

*The primary object of my invention is to provide a novel brassiere construction in which the breast pockets are free of attachment to one `another and are independently adjustable `to accommodate, and properly't, sup port, and mold the breasts tof the wearer of the garment by'the securement of each of such breast pockets to one of a pair of Yfreely crossed'diaphragm band-s extending below and across the breast pockets.

Other objects and features ofmy novel construction of brassiere, for instance, the greater llength of one of such freely -crossed diaphragm bands than the length of the second of such bands, forimproved and proper fitting of the garment, and the particular configuration of such bands. for further inducing the desired separation ofthe bust, will be apparent from the-following description of a specific embodiment of my novel construction ofbrassiere illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a front view in elevationof a -brassiere embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear .View of the central portion of said brassiere;

Figs. 3 and 4-are detail views of the separatediaphragm bands shown inFigs. 1 and 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the bras- `siere comprises a pair of breast pockets 5 and 6 -attached along their outer side edgestas indicatedat 7.and 8 respec- 2,897,822 Patented Aug. 4, 1959 tively,to.the upper portion `of `the front edges of body encircling side panels 9 and,10. l Side panels and 10 are provided at their free rearjends withsuitable complementary fastening elements lforsecuring the brassiere about the wearer. .Referring to A)the poclebS, eg., the desired cup shape and Vfullness lmay be obtained by preforming it of two pieces 11and12'.

The breast pocket 5 is attachedalong its lower edge to a diaphragmbandngenerally yindicated at 13. Similarly ,breast `poclget, 6 is attached along itsV lower edgeto `a second diaphragm lbandl 14. Aitriangular breast contour moulding band 1S ofilexible material is securedalong its inner side 16 tothe inner edge of 'breast pocketS and along its lower sides 17 and,18 which 4form @triangular extension into a V-shaped *notch cutin'pthel uppercentrall section of diaphragm `band 13. A second 4triangular breast contour moulding band 19 of ilexiblernalterial is securedvalong its inner side 20 to the inner edge of breast pocket 6l and along lits lower sides, 'similarly formingxa triangular extension `into a Vl-shaped notch cut into the upper central section of diaphragm band 14.

As will be seenin Figs. 3 and 4, the diaphragm bands 13 yand 14 are separately formedy from a flexible fabric, which may be single or double ply. Diaphragm `band 13 'has its upper edge shaped to provide a concave outline 21 extending from the left side edge 22 to one side ofa deeply notched central section 23 and a second concave outlinek 24 .extending from the othergside of the d eeply notched central section 23 to the right s ideedge' 25, whichis provided with a triangular elastic tab 26. Both the left and `right Vside edges 22 and 25, the latter through t-ab 26are downwardlyandV inwardly inclined to meet a lower edge 27 whichis inclined upwardly from right to left resulting in thejside edge 2S, including its tab f 26, being of a substantiallyv greater length than the side edge 22. Additionally, therlength of the upper concaverolutline 21 is preferably slightly greater Athan the length of the upper concave outline 24. 'l

The deeply notched central section 23 further cut with a slit 28 for securing a proper meeting ofthe elastic bands hereinafter described with the material ofthe notched central section 24.

The dimensions of lthe diaphragm band 14 are substantially identical with those of diaphragm band 13 but the band 14 is disposed in inverse relation to band 13 -so that concave outline 29 corresponding to outline 21 is at the right of a deeply notched central seciorn'30 and concave outline 31 corresponding to outline 24 is at the left of the deeply notched central section 30. Similarly, Vthe short side edge 31 is on the right and the longer side edgeV 32, with a corresponding triangular elastic tab 33 is on the left and therefore the lower edge 34 inclines npwardly fromy left to right. The deeply notched central section 30 of band 14l is similarly provided with a slit` 35.

The diaphragm bandr 13 has its short side edge `22 secured along the lower portion of the front edge Yof side panel 9- a substantial distance I above the lower edge of said side panel. The concave outline portion 21`is secured along 'the lower edge of breast pocket 5', and the notched central section 23 has sewed thereinto the'lower extremity lof theelastic triangular breast moulding band 15, which lower eXtremityis formed tot into the deeply notched centralsection 23 of the diaphragm band. The concave outline portion 24 extends freely along a contour lying within and substantially, but notV quite concentric with the contour of the lower edge of breast pocket `6. 'Ihe elongated side edge 25 `and its tab. 26 are secured along the lower portion of the front edge of side panel "10 from the base of theV side panel up to the point of mergence of the lower edge of said Vbreast pocket 6 withf the saidside panel. i

The; diaphragm band 1stV has its short side edgeY 31 secured along the lower portion of the front edge of side panel a substantial distance above the lower edge of side panel 10 and in lapping relation with a cornplementary secured portion of the side edge and tab 26 of band 13. The concave outline portion 29 of band 14 is secured along the lower edge of breast pocket 6 and the notched central section 30 has sewed thereinto the lower extremity of the second elastic moulding band 19. The concave outline portion 36 extends freely along a contour lying within and substantially, but not quite concentric with the contour of the lower edge of breast pocket 6. The elongated side edge 32 and its tab 33 are secured in lapping relation with the side edge 22 of band 13 along the lower portion of the front edge of side panel 9 from the base of the side panel up to the point of mergence of the lower edge of said breast pocket 5 with said side panel.

As will be seen in Figs. l and 2, the diaphragm bands 13 and 14 are arranged in criss-cross relation and are free of direct attachment to each other except at their common points of attachment to the front edges of side panels 9 and 10. Additionally, the breast pockets 5 and 6 and their respective contour moulding bands 15 and 19 are free of attachment to each other. Thus there is a freedom of movement of breast pocket 5 and its corresponding diaphragm band 13 relative to the breast pocket 6 and its corresponding diaphragm band 14and vice versa. Also, the contour moulding band 15 attached to breast pocket 5 and diaphragm band 13 functions independently of the contour moulding band 19. Similarly, contour moulding band 19 attached to breast pocket 6 and diaphragm band 14 functions independently of the contour moulding band 15.

This independent action of the right and'left band breast pockets and their component elements allows for a variation in the bust width of different people. The term bust width is employed to designate the distance between the two breasts of a person, center to center. In this connection, it is pointed out that the bust width varies from one person to another although their circumferential measurement about the body at the bust line is substantially the same. Thus, if several women have a body circumferential measurement at the bust line of 32 to 34 inches, they will all normally require a size 32-34 brassiere. However, their bust width, from center to center of the breasts, will vary in some cases. With the conventional brassiere in which the inner edges of the pockets are either directly connected or are connected to a common central panel, there is no provision or at least no adequate provision for independent adjustment of each breast within the corresponding pocket of the brassiere. The reason for this is that, for example, lateral adjustment of one breast pocket makes a corresponding lateral adjustment of the other. Thus, if outward lateral adjustment is required it must be made relative to the breast pocket centers resulting in discomfort to the wearer. On the other hand, if the required adjustment is not made, there will be an improper fitting and support with resulting discomfort.

The separation feature of the present invention solves the above problems by correctly accommodating all variations in the bust width within at least a standard range. This new feature of variable bust separation is obviously a marked improvement over the above mentioned conventional brassieres in that it provides a freedom of movement not heretofore experienced and makes the brassiere much more stable on the body.

Another feature resides in the combination of the triangular breast contour moulding bands arranged in free criss-cross relation to each other along the inner side of each breast pocket and the separate diaphragm bands similarly arranged in 'free criss-cross relation to each other so that, while each diaphragm band permits independent adjustment of the breast within the correspondingV pocket, the contour moulding band exerts a moulding pressure along the inner side of the breast which is properly adjusted in the corresponding pocket and independently of the moulding pressure applied by the other breast moulding band. This combination materially contributes to the control of the tit of the brassiere as regards comfort, stability and freedom of movement for any wearer of the garment notwithstanding the fact that there is a variation in the bust width of different wearers of brassieres of the same size.

The securing of the moulding bands 15 and 19 in the deeply notched central section of each diaphragm band contributes, in great measure to the spreading of the bust sections and the separation of the bust from center to center of the breasts.

In addition to the free criss-cross arrangement of the diaphragm bands, other features that contribute to the freedom of independent adjustments are (l) the attachment to the side panel of that portion of each diaphragm band which is attached to the corresponding pocket is of relatively narrow width as compared with the relatively broad attachment of the other portion to the opposite side panel, (2) the central support of each diaphragm band from the lower end of the corresponding breast contour moulding band, and (3) the concave curve of the upper free edge of that portion of each diaphragm band which extends across the opposing breast pocket section to reduce the effect of any movement of said band on the opposite breast pocket section to a minimum.

It will be noted that while the two diaphragm bands 13 and 14, when laid out fiat, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, are substantially equal in length, when they are inserted into their proper positions below the breast cups, they are disposed in inverse relation to each other, the long concave side of each band being stitched to its respective bust section and the short concave side of each band being free of attachment to thel bust section below which it is disposed. Thus, the two diaphragm bands form, at their central or median points, a cross-over structure that exhibits a sutiicient ability to spread on each side of the `brassiere center to accommodate and compensate for variation in bust separation.

I claim:

1. A brassiere embodying a pair of breast pockets adjacently arranged, and free of attachment to one another, a first side section having its front edge secured to the outer edge of a first one of said breast pockets, a second Side section having its front edge secured to the outer edge of the second of said breast pockets, a pair of crossed diaphragm `bands located below said breast pockets, each diaphragm band being wider at one end than at the other end, a tirst one of said diaphragm bands having its narrower end secured along a portion of the front edge of said first side section and the upper edge portion underlying said rst breast pocket secured along the lower edge of said rst breast pocket, the remaining upper edge portion of said tirst diaphragm yband extending freely below said second breast pocket and having its wider end secured along a portion of the front edge of said first side section, the lower edges of said diaphragm bands extending across the bottom of the brassiere in a criss-cross angular arrangement from a point below one breast pocket to a point below the other breast pocket and fromone side of the front of the garment to the other, and in which the narrower end of each of said diaphragm bands is -secured to an adjacent side section directly below the correspondingly attached breast pocket and in which the wider end of each of said diaphragm bands is secured along an adjacent side section directly below a correspondingly attached breast pocket, a portion of each of said wider ends being in lapping relation to the narrower end of the other of said diaphragm bands.

2. A brassiere as set forth in claim l in which each of the wider end portions of said diaphragm bands cornprises a triangular elastic tab.

3. A brassiere embodying a pair of breast pockets adjacently arranged, and free of attachment to one another, a rst side section having its front edge secured to the outer edge of a tirst one of said breast pockets, a second side section having its front edge secured to the outer edge ofthe second of said breast pockets, a pair of crossed diaphragm bands located below said breast pockets, each diaphragm band being wider at one end than at the other end, a rst one of said diaphragm bands having its narrower end secured along a portion of the front edge of lsaid iirst side section and the upper edge portion underlying said iirst breast pocket secured along the lower edge of said iirst breast pocket, the remaining upper edge portion of said rst diaphragm band extending freely below said second breast pocket and having its wider end secured along a portion of the front edge of said rst side section, the lower edges of said diaphragm bands extending across the bottom of the brassiere in a criss-cross angular arrangement from a point below one breast pocket to a point below the other breast pocket and from one side of the front of the garment to the other, and in which the narrower end of each of said diaphragm bands is secured along an adjacent side section from a point adjacent the lower edge of the correspondingly attached breast pocket to a point substantially distant from the lower edge of the said side section and in which the wider end of each of said diaphragm bands is secured along an adjacent side section from a point adjacent the lower edge of the correspondingly attached breast pocket to the lower edge of the side section.

4. A brassiere embodying a pair of breast pockets adjacently arranged, and free of attachment to one another, a iirst side section having its front edge secured to the outer edge of a first one of said breast pockets, a second side section having its front edge secured to the outer edge of the second of said breast pockets, a pair of crossed diaphragm bands located below said breast pockets, each diaphragm band being wider at one end than at the other end, a rst one of said diaphragm bands having its narrower end secured along a portion of the front edge of said rst side section and the upper edge portion underlying said first breast pocket, the remaining upper edge portion of said rst diaphragm band extending freely below said second breast pocket and having its wider end secured along a portion of the front edge of said second side section, and a second one of said diaphragm bands having its narrower end secured along a portion of the front edge of said second side section and the upper edge portion underlying said second breast pocket secured along the lower edge of said second breast pocket, the remaining upper edge portion of said second diaphragm band extending freely below said lirst breast pocket and having its wider end secured along a portion of the front edge of said rst side section, the lower edges of said diaphragm bands extending across the bottom of the brassiere in a criss-cross angular arrangement from a point below one breast pocket to a point below the other breast pocket and from one side of the front of the garment to the other, and including a triangular breast contour moulding band secured along part of its inner side to the inner edge of said rst breast pocket and along the remainder of its inner side, and throughout the side opposite to such remainder of its inner side to the upper central section of said tirst diaphragm band, and a second triangular breast contour moulding band secured along its inner side to the inner edge of said second breast pocket and along the remainder of its inner side and throughout the side opposite to such remainder of its inner side, to the upper central section of said second diaphragmband, said breast contour moulding bands being free of attachment to each other, their lower portion being disposed in overlapping relation to each other in which the central section of each of said diaphragm bands is provided with a V-shaped notch and the lower portions of the breast contour moulding bands are secured to the edges of said V-shaped notches.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,390,465 Russo Dec. 4, 1945 2,471,670 Becker et al May 31, 1949 2,703,886 Lo Cascio Mar. 16, 1955 2,736,898 Lax et al. Mar. 6, 1956 2,746,053 Kreger May 22, 1956 

